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I have been on fluoxetine for nearly 4wks how long will symptoms last

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andrea49412
andrea49412

I have started fluoxetine for nearly 4 weeks - the 1st week was fine - from 2nd week the side effects have been terrible , palpations , anxiety , panic attacks , feeling sick , shaking , depressed . I am now experienci g flu like symptoms . I have been on this drug before but I used to forget to take the tablets regularly . How long will these symptoms last ??

0 likes, 43 replies

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  • lotcoleman
    lotcoleman andrea49412

    Posted

    Hoping someone else will answer you soon! I'm only on day 6 and feel dreadful, had a good day yesterday but have been majorly anxious all day today and not able to eat,I've lost 5lbs in 6 days! Do you feel more anxious than usual? Not sure if it's just my brain or the Prozac side effects 😩

    • andrea49412
      andrea49412 lotcoleman

      Posted

      I'm hoping so x yes I've lost weight too and I haven't got that much too loose . Yes I feel So much more anxious . It awful but I determined it's just the side effects that is all . I have had all side effects listed lol . Try some relaxation techniques and keep busy .

  • Woo3353
    Woo3353 andrea49412

    Posted

    The worse side effects for me lasted just over 2 weeks that being no appetite, nausea, shakes, tiredness, excess anxiety, headaches. Side effects slowly dropped off till around week 12 now I generally am side effect free at 6 months.

    I don't know if you realise that serotonin is produced in the gut and feed to the brain, hence stomache & bowels can be effected.

    It does get better so stick with it

    • andrea49412
      andrea49412 Woo3353

      Posted

      Thanks for this x I am going stick with it x so hard tho .
  • paul89462
    paul89462 andrea49412

    Posted

    I am on fluoxetine about 16 weeks now and can say everything has settled down. It's along trip and I have had lots of symptoms, stomach, bowel, loss off appetite, anxiety, depression, cold sweats at night....... The first week was fine then it all kicked in but at the end things settle its a mater of being patient and managing the fact that anxiety causes anxiety and many of the symptoms that come with it. Keep at it, don't give up and don't feel tempted to up dose until you see how it works for you weeks in......

    • andrea49412
      andrea49412 paul89462

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply . 16 weeks is a long way to go . Been on this medication before. Did you feel flu like ?
    • paul89462
      paul89462 andrea49412

      Posted

      Yes I did...... It did take its time with me to settle but everyone is different. After 6 weeks I had a good week and thought it was over. Then I had a bad week again it takes its time to settle but eventually the bad days get less and less. Just stick it out I made the mistake of stopping and had to start all over. Good luck and be positive.....
    • andrea49412
      andrea49412 paul89462

      Posted

      Thanks for your reply . Yes I'm finding improvements with insomnia . 6 weeks is a long time to wait . Still feeling anxious and I've had a few near panic attacks and sometimes relunctant to go out . keeping your mind occupied is very important . Can't believe all these side effects from taking fluoxetine .

    • katie58615
      katie58615 andrea49412

      Posted

      Hi Andrea,

      Im also on week 4 and i have had terrible side effects. Things have improved but then i get days like today where i feel im back at square 1 i feel so sick and no energy at all. Iv been off work 4 weeks i just want to be back to normal but it still feels far away x

    • andrea49412
      andrea49412 katie58615

      Posted

      Hi Katie - where exactly the same - off work too four weeks also . Give it a bit longer. I ' ve been told by docs give 6 weeks for it to kick in fully x We can do this . Also I booked to go on CBT in the new year . Yes sometimes I feel like no energy but I think it's my Pmt and cold I've got. I'm having proems going too and I have to fight it and go with it.

    • katie58615
      katie58615 andrea49412

      Posted

      Im tryin to be patient but it is so frustratin feelin like this. Im better than i was at the beginning but im still so far from where i wish i was!!
  • lotcoleman
    lotcoleman andrea49412

    Posted

    I've switched to sertraline as my panic was unbearable on fluoxetine, I feel much calmer already. terrible diarrhoea though, always something!!

    • andrea49412
      andrea49412 lotcoleman

      Posted

      I've not heard of that medication . Hope you don't get anymore side effects and good luck .

    • lotcoleman
      lotcoleman andrea49412

      Posted

      It's also known as lustral and Zoloft. It's very similar to fluoxetine as it's an ssri but has fewer side effects and is less likely to cause increased panic etc in the first few weeks. I feel so much better but am aware this could be placebo effect as my head is not reliable! Struggling with awareness of my breathing now but will take that over panic any day! Good luck with fluoxetine, hope it works for you xx

    • andrea49412
      andrea49412 lotcoleman

      Posted

      Good luck too. I've been on fluoxetine before but I used to forget to take now I'm taking it every morning so just got ride out these side effects .

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